Professor Dr ABM Obaidul Islam has been appointed the new vice-chancellor of University of Dhaka, Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon announced on Monday.

The announcement was made during a briefing at the Ministry of Education.

Prof Obaidul Islam is currently serving as the vice-chancellor of Bangladesh Open University. He was appointed to that post on September 12, 2024 following the fall of the Awami League government during the uprising.

He is also the current president of the University Teachers Association of Bangladesh (UTAB).

A professor of the Physics Department at the University of Dhaka, Obaidul Islam earlier served as the general secretary of the Dhaka University Teachers’ Association and also led the pro-BNP teachers’ platform known as the ‘White Panel’.

He completed his bachelor degree in 1987 and master degree in 1988 from the Physics Department of Dhaka University and later joined the same department as a faculty member. He earned his PhD from University of Toyama in Japan in 1999.

Earlier, after the fall of the Awami League government during the 2024 uprising, Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan of the Development Studies Department was appointed vice-chancellor of Dhaka University.

On February 10, two days before the national election, he announced his intention to step down from the post at a press conference.

Six days after the formation of the new government led by Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Prof Niaz submitted his resignation on February 22 but continued to discharge duties until the appointment of a new vice-chancellor.

Meanwhile, Professor Mamun Ahmed has been appointed the new chairman of the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh.

The announcement was also made by Education Adviser Ehsanul Haque Milon at the same briefing.

Prof Mamun Ahmed, from the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department of Dhaka University, had been serving as the university’s pro-vice-chancellor. He is a member of the advisory council of Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairman and president of the Nationalist Social and Cultural Organisation.

He replaces Professor S M A Faiz as chairman of the University Grants Commission.